Khao Lak is in Phang Nga province and not too far to travel for a short trip or weekend break with friends and family. An Andaman cruise will get you there in no time, or it just takes a few hour’s drive from Phuket. There are a number of beaches that stretch along its coastline with forested hills as a beautiful backdrop, and plenty of hotels, restaurants and accommodation available.
There’s actually quite a lot to do in Khao Lak and it has a certain charm about it that appeals to travellers. Many of the accommodation options are located along the beachfront or just a few minutes’ walk away. It’s still possible to find budget bungalows alongside the new luxurious resorts that have sprung up over the past few years.
There’s all kinds of cuisines available too, although not as many as Phuket of course. Coffee shops and noodle stands, steak houses and pizza are readily found, and plenty of cheap and cheerful Thai eating places.
Beaches & National Parks
An ideal location to relax and chill, Khao Lak’s beaches go on and on for miles and are great for swimming, picnicking and walking. There’s also Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park to explore with its waterfalls, seacliffs, mangroves, tropical forests and beaches covering a vast 125-sq-km’s. Wildlife abounds and you’re sure to sight hornbills, drongos, tapirs and monkeys. If lucky you’ll even come across Asiatic black bears and Bengal monitor lizards.
Khao Lak is a good base from where arrangements for visiting The Similan Islands, Khao Sok, or a Phang Nga tour to the bay can be made. However, it has enough of its own attractions and interesting places to offer holidaymakers and tourists and is a lively place in the high season.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a busy beach scene with lots of accommodation, bars and eating places then Nang Thong is the place to stay. Most travellers opt to stay here as everything is available and there’s lots more to do in the evenings than elsewhere in the province. There are no girly bars as found in nearby Phuket which makes it a great destination for families and couples.
Bang Niang offers a more chilled out atmosphere but still has some nightlife with restaurants and bars, both Thai and Western styles. There are also some nice boutiques and artisan shops to buy gifts to take home. The night market is quite entertaining with local Thai delicacies and fresh seafood to try alongside clothes, scarves and other products at very cheap prices.
Not far from Bang Niang is Khuk Khak, a much quieter location with a handful of local restaurants and shops and a bus terminal. The beach here is glorious and very long, if it’s solitude you want then this is the place for you.
High season can get busy as the weather is hotter and the sea calmer and warmer to swim in so there’s a lot more people around. You can visit in low season, generally May-October, but be aware that some of the resorts and other businesses actually close down as it can be very quiet at this time of year.
